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Internet Legal Research for Professor Mika’s Legal Writing Class Feb. 28, 2012.

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Presentation on theme: "Internet Legal Research for Professor Mika’s Legal Writing Class Feb. 28, 2012."— Presentation transcript:

1 Internet Legal Research for Professor Mika’s Legal Writing Class Feb. 28, 2012

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8 Limitations of Google Invisible Web - Search Engines can not type or think

9 Limitations of Google Too many results Results not geared for lawyers

10 Limitations of Google Desired content NOT on the free web: Older cases Secondary Sources: Ojur, Forms, etc.

11 Benefits of Lexis/WL Coverage Secondary sources Better Search Mechanisms - /s, /p Editorial features – headnotes, annotations Aggregate Info Trustworthiness

12 Benefits of Internet v. Lexis/WL Free Can be quicker/easier

13 Internet v. Lexis/Westlaw Some info exclusive to Internet Municipal Ordinances Some Court FilingsCourt Filings New case/regulation (within one day) New topics/issues

14 What’s on the Free Web All US Supreme Court Cases Reported Federal Appellate 1882-, Fed District 1932- Some Unreported Fed State cases: Reported 1950-, unreported varies -1990s-

15 What’s on the Free Web Statutes & Regulations- federal and states LOTS more!

16 Internet Portals Library Home Page – Legal Research on the Web Library Home Page Legal Research on the Web Cornell Legal Information Institute (LII) ALSO Findlaw

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35 Lexis Communities

36 Use LEGAL Search Engines Cornell University Legal Research EngineCornell University Legal Research Engine LexisWeb List of Search Legal Engines

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40 Ohio Search Engine https://www.law.csuohio.edu/lawlibrary/ohiosearch

41 Dragnet by NY Law School http://www.nyls.edu/library/research_tools _and_sources/dragnethttp://www.nyls.edu/library/research_tools _and_sources/dragnet

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43 Search Engines Clustering search engines: Yippy, Ask.comYippy Ask.com Metasearch engines: Dogpile, YippyDogpileYippy Government Search Engines: USA.gov, Fdsys, MetalibUSA.gov FdsysMetalib Internet Wayback Machine

44 Search Engines Learn search syntax Google.com – click link or wheel for advanced search Google.com Click on Advanced Search Tips to see operators

45 AND (default) OR (capitalized) “”Quotes for phrase. - to remove words or phrases. ~ searches synonyms * wildcard to replace word(s) (to * or * ) No truncation sue AROUND(3) brown Fields: intitle:, site:, inurl: define: finds definitions Google Operators

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47 Case law Google Scholar – state reported 1950-, fed circuit/ district 1923- Google Scholar Ohio Supreme Court – Ohio reported & unreported (oldest 1992) Ohio Supreme Court Legal Research on the Web - Cases

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49 Search = “birth certificate” marriage transsexual OR transgender OR “sex change”

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52 Why don’t we get the Nash case, a 2003 unreported Ohio case?

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54 Limit to Ohio

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58 Demo Ohio Supreme Court case search

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64 Jureeka Firefox/Chrome add-on Retrieve by citation toolbar Fed, Ohio Official Reports, Ohio Web Cites, ORC, OAC On web documents (html), Jureeka links legal citations

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67 Finding Dockets, Pleadings, Motions LLRX or Resources for Online Court Dockets to find docketsLLRXResources for Online Court Dockets Some dockets have full text documents ex. Ohio – Montgomery & Summit Counties, federal PACER – Federal Court dockets PACER On Westlaw/Lexis – more search capability

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78 Forms Forms and Practice Materials Resource Guide Forms and Practice Materials Resource Guide Practical Law Company – free to law students Practical Law Company

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80 Evaluating Web Sites Credibility: author; possible bias, accuracy. Currency / Updating, Coverage Writing Quality Ease of use – Design, navigation, searchability, help Stability

81 Forms and Sample Contracts Who publishes the site? A legal publisher? bar association? Does the site sell forms? Who wrote the form? Use with caution, tailor to your facts

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85 “Business Contracts” and Court Forms Free. Others cost $.

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87 Web Sites to Know Thomas.gov – Federal Legislative History, Pending Bills Thomas Fed’l Govt. – FDSysFDSys E-CFR - most up to date Code of Federal Regulations E-CFR A-Z Index of U.S. Government Depts. & Agencies A-Z Index of U.S. Government Depts. & Agencies

88 More Websites to Know Ohio Supreme Court Municipal Ordinances

89 Conclusion Use Free Web, but be aware limitations in coverage, currency, searching ability, reliability Go beyond Google: Use free legal databases, legal search engines and portals

90 eHandout https://www.law.csuohio.edu/lawlibrary/e handout/alternatives2012 https://www.law.csuohio.edu/lawlibrary/e handout/alternatives2012


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